Actuator with ball nut

Abstract

An actuator includes a drive assembly, a ball screw, and a ball nut. The ball nut may include a first nut member, a second nut member; and first arm extending from the first nut member. The first arm may include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may extend radially outward from the first nut member. The second portion may extend substantially axially from the first portion such that at least some of the second portion is disposed radially outward of the second nut member. A second arm may extend from the second nut member, and the second arm may include a first portion and a second portion. In embodiments, at least part of the second portion of the first arm is disposed radially outward of at least a part of the second portion of the second arm.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A ball nut, comprising:
 a first nut member; 
 a second nut member; and 
 a first arm extending from the first nut member, the first arm including: 
 a first portion, and 
 a second portion; 
 a second arm extending from the second nut member, the second arm including: a first portion and a second portion; 
 wherein the first portion of the first arm extends radially outward from the first nut member, and the first portion of the second arm extends radially outward from the second nut member; 
 wherein the second portion of the first arm extends substantially axially from the first portion of the first arm such that at least part of the second portion of the first arm is disposed radially outward of at least part of the second portion of the second arm; and 
 wherein an externally visible opening with a radial distance is provided between (i) the second portion of the second arm and (ii) a portion of the first nut member or the second nut member that is radially inward of the second portion of the second arm. 
 
     
     
       2. The ball nut of  claim 1 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are substantially externally visible. 
     
     
       3. The ball nut of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the second arm extends in an axial direction from the first portion of the second arm. 
     
     
       4. The ball nut of  claim 3 , including pin disposed at least partially in the second portion of the first arm and at least partially in the second portion of the second arm. 
     
     
       5. The ball nut of  claim 3 , wherein the second portion of the first arm is in contact with an outer surface of the second portion of the second arm; and an inner surface of the second portion of the second arm is disposed at a distance from an outer surface of the second nut member. 
     
     
       6. The ball nut of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the first arm and the second portion of the second arm are disposed in an overlapping configuration. 
     
     
       7. The ball nut of  claim 1 , wherein the first nut member extends partially into the second nut member. 
     
     
       8. The ball nut of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the first arm includes a circumferential slot configured to receive a pin. 
     
     
       9. The ball nut of  claim 8 , including the pin; wherein the pin is disposed in an aperture of the second portion of the second arm and in the circumferential slot. 
     
     
       10. The ball nut of  claim 9 , including a shaft extending in a substantially axial direction. 
     
     
       11. The ball nut of  claim 10 , wherein the shaft is disposed at least partially in an axially-extending aperture of the second arm and an axially-extending aperture of the pin. 
     
     
       12. The ball nut of  claim 11 , wherein the shaft is disposed in an axially-extending aperture in the first portion of the first arm. 
     
     
       13. The ball nut of  claim 1 , wherein the first arm is disposed such that portions of outer surfaces of the first nut member and the second nut member radially inward of the arm are externally visible. 
     
     
       14. The ball nut of  claim 1 , wherein the first nut member and the second nut member include corresponding internal thread portions configured to engage a ball screw. 
     
     
       15. The ball nut of  claim 1 , wherein the first arm includes a third portion that extends substantially parallel with and at a radial distance from the second portion. 
     
     
       16. A ball nut, comprising:
 a first nut member; 
 a second nut member; and 
 a first arm extending from the first nut member, the first arm including: 
 a first portion, and 
 a second portion; 
 a second arm extending from the second nut member and connected to the first arm; 
 wherein the first portion of the first arm extends radially outward from the first nut member; 
 wherein the second portion of the first arm extends substantially axially from the first portion of the first arm such that at least part of the second portion of the first arm is disposed radially outward of the second nut member; wherein the first arm includes a third portion that extends substantially parallel with and at a radial distance from the second portion; and wherein the second arm includes a first portion extending radially outward from the second nut member and a second portion extending substantially axially from the first portion of the second arm. 
 
     
     
       17. The ball nut of  claim 16 , including a pin disposed in an aperture of the second portion of the first arm, an aperture of the third portion of the first arm, an aperture of the second portion of the second arm. 
     
     
       18. The ball nut of  claim 17 , wherein the pin, the first arm, and the second arm are configured for connection with a first gimbal ring and a second gimbal ring. 
     
     
       19. The ball nut of  claim 16 , wherein the second portion of the first arm, the third portion of the first arm, and the second portion of the second arm overlap in a radial direction. 
     
     
       20. A ball nut, comprising:
 a first nut member; 
 a second nut member; and 
 a first arm extending from the first nut member, the first arm including: 
 a first portion, and 
 a second portion; 
 a second arm extending from the second nut member and connected to the first arm; 
 wherein the first portion of the first arm extends radially outward from the first nut member; 
 wherein the second portion of the first arm extends substantially axially from the first portion of the first arm such that at least part of the second portion of the first arm is disposed radially outward of the second nut member; and including a third arm extending from the first nut member and a fourth arm extending from the second nut member; 
 wherein the third arm and the fourth arm are connected together in an overlapping configuration.